Beaver Creek
Trailheads Beaver Creek Trailhead Drive there · Coney Flats Trailhead Drive there
Beaver Creek (#942) the Forest Service's write-up
Beaver Creek Trail skirts north of Sky Ranch then rejoins the road west of the ranch before re-entering the forest. After traveling north of Hourglass Lake and following Beaver Creek, the trail borders the north side of Comanche Reservoir before entering a travel zone within the Comanche Peak Wilderness. The trail passes trailheads for Hourglass Trail (#984) at the Comanche Reservoir dam, Comanche Lake Trail (#990) and the south end of Browns Lake Trail (#941) within the travel zone, and Brackenbury Trail (#935) just before terminating at an intersection with the Flowers Trail (#939). The Hourglass and Brackenbury Trails are connectors to Mirror Lake Trail (#943) and access to Rocky Mountain National Park. The Beaver Creek trailhead accommodates approximately 4 vehicles.
You can find more information at the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers website . Download trail summary here .
Restrictions General Wilderness Regulations: Dogs must be on a hand held leash. No motorized or mechanized equipment. Camps, campfires, and stock, where allowed, at least 200 feet from water and trails. Group size limited to 12 people or stock animals combined. Certified weed-free hay is required for stock. No campfires—stoves only. Overnight stock use prohibited.
Beaver Creek Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up
<a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/arp/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=28182&actid=50">Brainard Lake Recreation Area</a> fees apply during the summer operating season (typically late June through mid-October).
Beaver Creek Trailhead is adjacent to the same parking area as the Mitchell Lake Trailhead at the west end of the Brainard Lake Recreation Area (BLRA). Parking is available for 60 vehicles. Trailhead hosts are available to answer questions on summer weekends. This trailhead provides access to the Beaver Creek Trail .
Hiking trails to the west of the BLRA enter into the Indian Peaks Wilderness . Visitors that hike trails leading west from the Long Lake or Mitchell Lake Trailhead, are responsible for following all Indian Peaks Wilderness Regulations and permit requirements.
View an area map here.
This trailhead is open seasonally. For current information on road openings and closures, check the Road Status Table .
Beaver Creek Trail (#911)
Length: Mitchell Lake Trailhead (TH) to Mount Audubon Trail - 1.7 miles; Coney Flats TH - 5.1 miles; to Buchanan Pass Trail - 6.9 miles. DISTANCES ARE ONE-WAY.
Elevation: 10,460 feet at Mitchell Lake TH; 11,250 feet at Beaver Creek Trail intersection with Mount Audubon Trail; 9,800 feet at Coney Flats TH
Trail Description: Beaver Creek Trail enters into the Indian Peaks Wilderness shortly after leaving the Beaver Creek Trailhead . After a few switchbacks, the trail circles the ridge and intersects with the Mount Audubon Trail.
Beaver Creek Trail continues northward for 3.4 miles, descending the northeastern flank of the mountain on a nice graded trail, finally dropping into Coney Flats. From Coney Flats the Beaver Creek Trail turns west into the Indian Peaks Wilderness. The Coney Lake Trail intersects 0.25 miles west of Coney Flats, and Beaver Creek Trail ends at Buchanan Pass Trail, 1.8 miles west of Coney Flats.
Latlong : 40.083648; -105.581
Click here for a trail summary.
View a trail map here.
Restrictions <ul><li><strong>Prohibited:</strong> Pack animals (horses/llamas); recreational shooting (except for legal hunting) and being on trails posted as closed.</li><li><strong>Brainard Lake Recreation Area Summer Season</strong> (May 1 - Nov 14): Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times; when open, developed camping is only allowed at Pawnee Campground (no camping in closed campgrounds); dispersed camping is only allowed north of the South St Vrain Creek.</li><li><strong>Brainard Lake Recreation Area Winter Season</strong> (Nov 15 - Apr 30): Motorized vehicles are prohibited; dogs allowed only on the Brainard Lake and Lefthand Park Reservoir Roads; camping is prohibited within 1/4 mile of developed recreation sites except Red Rock Lake; skis only on Little Raven and CMC Ski Trail.</li><li>Practice <a href="http://lnt.org/why/7-principles/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhsvkoYej7AIVjYTICh2FQgqwEAAYASABEgK3nvD_BwE">Leave No Trace principles.</a></li></ul><strong>Fishing and Hunting:</strong> Permitted in accordance with regulations established by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.
Coney Flats Trailhead the Forest Service's write-up
Coney Flats Trailhead is at the west end of Coney Creek Road, approximately 3.5 miles west of Beaver Reservoir. Coney Creek Road is a rough, native-surface road for experienced four-wheel-drivers only. There is a deep stream crossing that may be impassable at times, just east of Coney Flats. Parking is limited.
The free Boulder Ranger District Motor Vehicle Use Map displays National Forest System (NFS) routes open to motorized travel and is available online.
The Coney Creek Road is open seasonally. For current information on road openings and closures, check the road status table .
View an area map here.
Restrictions Indian Peaks Wilderness restrictions apply: <ul><li><strong>Motorized equipment and mechanized transportation are prohibited.</strong></li><li><strong>Pets must be on a hand-held leash at all times.</strong></li><li><strong>Campfires are prohibited year round.</strong></li><li><strong>Campsites must be at least 100 feet away from water and trail.</strong></li><li><strong>Group size is limited to 12 (people and stock combined).</strong></li><li><strong>Processed weed-free feed is required for stock.</strong></li><li><strong>Practice <a href="http://lnt.org/why/7-principles/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhsvkoYej7AIVjYTICh2FQgqwEAAYASABEgK3nvD_BwE">Leave No Trace principles.</a></strong></li></ul>Fishing and hunting: permitted in accordance with regulations established by Colorado Parks & Wildlife.